Molothrus

As the largest unfragmented forest left in the eastern U.S., park bird populations may be stable, in part due to avoidance of cowbird Molothrus ater, a prolific nest parasite.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States 2009

Furthermore, human commensal species, such as great-tailed grackle Quiscalus mexiccanus and bronzed cowbird Molothrus aeneus, normally increase in number around human settlements and result in the loss of nesting success in other birds.

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, Belize 2009

“The development of local song preferences in female cowbirds (Molothrus ater): Flock living stimulates learning,” Ethology, 112:

The Distinction Between Innate and Acquired Characteristics Griffiths, Paul 2009

Although endemism is not a characteristic of aquatic birds, sapphire-bellied hummingbird (Lepidopyga lilliae) has been reported as endemic to the mangrove forests of this ecoregion and is seriously at risk of extinction and Colombian bronzed cowbird (Molothrus armenti) has been reported as vulnerable.

Magdalena-Santa Marta mangroves 2008

It was here that the severe impact of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on songbirds was well documented.

Upper Midwest forest-savanna transition 2007

There are several species of a family allied in structure and manners to our Starling: one of these (Molothrus niger) is remarkable from its habits.

Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle 2003

Molothrus, cuckoo-like habits — Tyrant-flycatcher —

Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle 2003

Cuckoo and Molothrus should agree in this one strange habit of their parasitical propagation, whilst opposed to each other in almost every other habit: the molothrus, like our starling, is eminently sociable, and lives on the open plains without art or disguise: the cuckoo, as every one knows, is a singularly shy bird; it frequents the most retired thickets, and feeds on fruit and caterpillars.

Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle 2003

Mr. Swainson has well remarked,28 that with the exception of the Molothrus pecoris, to which must be added the M. niger, the cuckoos are the only birds which can be called truly parasitical; namely, such as "fasten themselves, as it were, on another living animal, whose animal heat brings their young into life, whose food they live upon, and whose death would cause theirs during the period of infancy."

Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle 2003

In North America there is another species of Molothrus (M. pecoris), which has a similar cuckoo-like habit, and which is most closely allied in every respect to the species from the Plata, even in such trifling peculiarities as standing on the backs of cattle; it differs only in being a little smaller, and in its plumage and eggs being of a slightly different shade of colour.

Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle 2003